Two Somerset County businesses recognized with governor's awards

SOMERSET COUNTY — Two Somerset County businesses received an award Thursday that recognizes Pennsylvania business owners' contributions to the state's economic development.

Somerset Trust Co. and Global/SFC Valve, both based in Somerset, were among the companies recognized with the inaugural Governor's ImPAct Awards — in the categories of jobs first and small business impact, respectively.

Gov. Tom Corbett presented the awards at the Great American Hall in Hershey before a crowd of nearly 700 people.

"It is an honor to be nominated," said Global/SFC Valve President Bob Kirst, who attended the ceremony. "It was a pleasant surprise. It was confirmation of the hard work of all of our co-workers, and it was a testament to the work ethic of Somerset County."

The awards recognized 50 companies from throughout the state in five categories: jobs first, community impact, small business impact, entrepreneurial impact and export impact.

"I know everybody here will be thrilled," Somerset Trust Co. Vice President Roberta Lohr said. "This is what we are all about. We are all about providing jobs in our community. We have a benefit of being an employer of 300 people, and what is very special to us is we have a benefit of helping other businesses grow their companies and create more jobs."

Gloria Pritts, vice president and human resources officer, represented the company at the ceremony.

The awardees were chosen by an independent judging panel. A total of 250 nominations were received, according to the governor's office.

"Today we honor the men and women who spend countless hours providing the leadership and care that it takes to run a successful business," Corbett said in a press release. "You are the champions partnering with us to put Pennsylvania on the path of growth."

Four Somerset County companies were nominated for an impact award. ITI Trailers & Truck Bodies, Meyersdale, was nominated in the small business impact category and DeVilbiss Healthcare, Somerset, was nominated in the export impact category.

"It just really speaks volumes of the economic leadership we have in business in this county," said Somerset County Economic Development Council Executive Director Gary DuFour, who attended the ceremony.

To see a list of all the nominees and winners visit www.newPA.com/impact-awards online.